UN Ocean Conference: understanding the commitments made

From June 27 to July 1, 2022, the UN Ocean Conference took place. This event, which brought together nearly 6,000 people, aimed to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the oceans.  

In this article, you will find a summary of the conference and of the commitments made by the various heads of state to preserve the oceans.  

What was at stake at the Ocean Conference

This conference aimed to restate the alarming situation facing the oceans today. Because of global warming, pollution, overfishing and threats to biodiversity, the oceans are in a state of emergency.  

This conference, originally scheduled for 2020, therefore aimed to alert heads of state once again to the state of the oceans and to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.  

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Following up on the commitments made in Brest

In February 2022, the One Ocean Summit was held in Brest. This conference, which brought together around a hundred countries, led to commitments in favor of preserving the oceans.  

The Brest commitments are organized around 3 major challenges for preserving the oceans:  

Protecting marine biodiversity and resources

This commitment, signed by 96 countries, aims to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 through the creation of protected areas.

Fighting global warming with the help of the oceans

The oceans are carbon sinks, meaning they are able to absorb greenhouse gases. This commitment aims to accelerate ocean protection projects to enable greater carbon absorption.  

Fighting plastic

This commitment aims to combat ocean pollution coming from coastlines and rivers.

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